Comtoyou Racing, which received the Spa 24 Hours this 12 months in an Aston Martin, is severely evaluating an assault on the DTM in 2025.
The Belgian squad has been holding talks with each Aston Martin Racing and DTM promoter ADAC to enter the Vantage GT3 within the championship subsequent 12 months.
“We need to get into the sequence,” Comtoyou workforce supervisor Francois Verbist advised Motorsport.com’s sister title Motorsport-Whole.com. “The state of affairs is certainly higher than final 12 months and there was an inquiry from a buyer. Thus far, at the least one automotive has been secured.”
The shopper in query is a gentleman driver who will assist finance the mission. Comtoyou additionally intends to discipline a second automotive within the DTM for an expert driver from Aston Martin’s manufacturing facility roster.
“Our want is to additionally use an expert, an Aston Martin driver,” Verbist mentioned. “It might make no sense to compete within the DTM if we can’t present our ambitions.”
Verbist attended the ultimate spherical of the 2024 DTM season at Hockenheim in October to speak to the ADAC a couple of potential entry into the sequence.
Additional, he was additionally current ultimately month’s GT World Problem Europe Endurance Cup finale in Jeddah to carry discussions with Aston’s racing division.
#7 Comtoyou Racing Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 EVO: Mattia Drudi, Nicki Thiim, Marco Sørensen
Picture by: Emanuele Clivati | AG Picture
Having switched from Audi to Aston equipment a 12 months in the past, Comtoyou is assured about its potential to compete in a high-level GT3 championship such because the DTM.
“The problem is possible for us after having used 4 vehicles within the dash and endurance sequence for a 12 months and competing within the GT Open sequence,” mentioned Verbist.
“We perceive the automotive a lot better now than we did a 12 months in the past. I am giving myself till January fifteenth to have a look at each facet intimately.
“We now have sponsors who’re serious about approaching board. Now that GT World Problem is over, that is the place my focus is. The following two or three weeks earlier than Christmas might be nerve-racking, however I have been engaged on it for 2 months. We’re doing our greatest to make it work!”
Requested to evaluate the workforce’s probability of creating it onto the 2025 grid, he mentioned: “Tough query, however I might say 75%.”
What makes the state of affairs tough for Comtoyou is that Aston Martin has fewer GT3 vehicles than different producers in circulation. Furthermore, it’s understood that the British producer gives solely fundamental technical help to associate groups, leaving it as much as them to seek out the required funding. Spare elements for the Vantage GT3 are additionally significantly costly.
Nonetheless, the Belgian squad is severe in regards to the DTM and desires to decide to the championship for the long run.
#7 Comtoyou Racing Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 EVO: Mattia Drudi, Nicki Thiim, Marco Sørensen
Picture by: Eric Le Galliot
“We positively need to become involved as a result of we’re huge followers of the sequence,” defined Verbist.
“However we do not need to be half-hearted and solely be there for one 12 months. If we do it – and likewise with all of the folks I discuss to – it will likely be at the least a three-year dedication. As a result of my feeling is: ‘If we do not do it that method, then it will not work’.”
If a Comtoyou entry does materialise, the logical selection for its manufacturing facility driver could be Nicki Thiim.
Thiim had acquired Aston’s blessing to participate within the DTM this 12 months in an SSR Efficiency Lamborghini and has at all times been desirous to characterize his employer within the German sequence.
Furthermore, the Danish driver raced for Comtoyou in different classes this 12 months and was a part of its successful line-up within the Spa endurance basic together with Marco Sorensen and Mattia Drudi.
“Nicki has competed for us the entire season, he is an efficient good friend of mine,” Verbist mentioned.
“It seems easy and apparent that we’re going to go down this path. However if you search for companions and sponsors, generally it is usually tied to drivers and to totally different markets. That would be the deciding issue in the long run.
“If I ask myself whether or not it is a want or a should, then it is extra of a want. We’ll attempt.”
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